REVIEW: Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Today is Cecil B DeMille's birthday, so I decided to post my old review of a film he was featured in as himself. Hope you enjoy it!
Title: Sunset Boulevard
Release Year: 1950
Genre: Highly Comedic Film-Noir
Cast: Gloria Swanson, William Holden & Eric Von Stroheim
Plot Summery: An ageing silent film star refuses to accept that she is no longer queen of the movies, so she hires a screenwriter to help with her comeback but it all ends in tragedy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This is one of my favourite films ever. I loved everything about it with all it's creepiness.
Gloria Swanson was perfection as the old film star that wouldn't let go. I can't imagine someone else in her place.
Swanson's role was considered for other silent film stars like Mae West and Mary Pickford. Mae West wanted to change the dialogue plus she thought she was too young for the role and Mary Pickford was shocked when she heard half the storyline, so neither went through with it.
Eventhough I've never seen them in films and it was actually the first film of Swanson's I've ever seen, I think she was the best choice because she did it perfectly! Afterall, she was nominated for an Oscar for the role.
I love films where they featured old genuine photographs or films of stars like in 'What Ever Happened To Baby Jane', 1962. I haven't watched any silent films except those comedic ones when I was a child. I probably need to watch them sometimes, especially Valentino.
Edith Head was the costume designer in this film. Since Swanson was already considered well versed in fashion by many, Head consulted her on fashion of the silent era so she can figure out a wardrobe for her current time.
William Holden was great in his role as the screewriter, Joe Gillis. I really felt sorry for him even though it's already obvious from the beginning of the film that he'd been killed.
I read that Holden's part was supposed to have been for Montgomery Clift but Clift turned it down just two weeks before filming.
There were many other choices, like Fred MacMurray, who declined , Gene Kelly, who couldn't because of his contract and Marlon Brando who was virtually unknown at the time so they didn't want to use him.
I don't think Brando would've been good for this role even though he's one of the best actors. MacMurray doesn't look innocent enough and I just can't see Gene Kelly doing it!
I think Clift was VERY perfect for it but I'm still very happy with Holden. I didn't like the girl who played opposite Holden though...I wish they had someone else in her place. I did like her in 'The Absent-Minded Professor', 1961, though.
I cannot choose a favourite scene but one of my favourite - and most disgusting - scenes is when Swanson was jumping on the table and acting all childish - so Holden's character won't get bored - and then jumped onto the sofa landing next to him...I was so embarrassed for her (her character that is) cause she was trying too hard to act his age hahaha
Favourite Quotes:
Joe Gillis: "Norma, you're a woman of 50, now grow up! There's nothing tragic about being 50, not unless you try to be 25"
I can think of so many people I'd like to use this line to hehe
If you haven't watched this yet, you must...it's a classic gem!
P.S When I watched this film I suddenly wanted to get a facial hahaaha you can watch the beauty regime here.
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Title: Sunset Boulevard
Release Year: 1950
Genre: Highly Comedic Film-Noir
Cast: Gloria Swanson, William Holden & Eric Von Stroheim
Plot Summery: An ageing silent film star refuses to accept that she is no longer queen of the movies, so she hires a screenwriter to help with her comeback but it all ends in tragedy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: This is one of my favourite films ever. I loved everything about it with all it's creepiness.
Gloria Swanson was perfection as the old film star that wouldn't let go. I can't imagine someone else in her place.Swanson's role was considered for other silent film stars like Mae West and Mary Pickford. Mae West wanted to change the dialogue plus she thought she was too young for the role and Mary Pickford was shocked when she heard half the storyline, so neither went through with it.
Eventhough I've never seen them in films and it was actually the first film of Swanson's I've ever seen, I think she was the best choice because she did it perfectly! Afterall, she was nominated for an Oscar for the role.
I love films where they featured old genuine photographs or films of stars like in 'What Ever Happened To Baby Jane', 1962. I haven't watched any silent films except those comedic ones when I was a child. I probably need to watch them sometimes, especially Valentino.
Edith Head was the costume designer in this film. Since Swanson was already considered well versed in fashion by many, Head consulted her on fashion of the silent era so she can figure out a wardrobe for her current time.
William Holden was great in his role as the screewriter, Joe Gillis. I really felt sorry for him even though it's already obvious from the beginning of the film that he'd been killed.
I read that Holden's part was supposed to have been for Montgomery Clift but Clift turned it down just two weeks before filming.There were many other choices, like Fred MacMurray, who declined , Gene Kelly, who couldn't because of his contract and Marlon Brando who was virtually unknown at the time so they didn't want to use him.
I don't think Brando would've been good for this role even though he's one of the best actors. MacMurray doesn't look innocent enough and I just can't see Gene Kelly doing it!
I think Clift was VERY perfect for it but I'm still very happy with Holden. I didn't like the girl who played opposite Holden though...I wish they had someone else in her place. I did like her in 'The Absent-Minded Professor', 1961, though.
I cannot choose a favourite scene but one of my favourite - and most disgusting - scenes is when Swanson was jumping on the table and acting all childish - so Holden's character won't get bored - and then jumped onto the sofa landing next to him...I was so embarrassed for her (her character that is) cause she was trying too hard to act his age hahaha
Favourite Quotes:
Joe Gillis: "Norma, you're a woman of 50, now grow up! There's nothing tragic about being 50, not unless you try to be 25"
I can think of so many people I'd like to use this line to hehe
If you haven't watched this yet, you must...it's a classic gem!
P.S When I watched this film I suddenly wanted to get a facial hahaaha you can watch the beauty regime here.
One of my favourite films EVER! Reading this review makes me want to watch it RIGHT NOW!
ReplyDeleteEven-though I absolutely loved William Holden, But Montgomery Clift?!!! I wish he didn’t decline! He was more than perfect for this role. It feels like it was made for him.
That’s my favourite quote from the film too...I also know a few dozen people I can use that on hahah!